Nick Folk of the New York Jets celebrates following his successful field goal in overtime against the New England Patriots.Getty Images

This is more about the lack of an elite team in the AFC than what the Jets have shown this year.

Because the Jets have gone toe-to-toe with two of the best teams in the AFC — Texans and Patriots — and easily could have won both games if not for foolish mistakes. In their one showdown with an NFC power, the 49ers dismantled them 34-0 at MetLife Stadium.

But it still is a reminder that the Jets are not as bad as most pundits make them out to be. While both losses were painful and make the Jets path to the playoffs much more difficult it does show that if they make it to there then you won’t have to roll your eyes when Rex Ryan declares his team to be the favorite.

What has been impressive is the Jets ability to move past the injuries to Darrelle Revis and Santonio Holmes that many thought would end what little chance they had of being respectable. Instead, Antonio Cromartie has created his own island and Jeremy Kerley has looked as much a No. 1 receiver as Holmes ever did with the Jets.

Even in defeat to the Patriots, the cries to replace Mark Sanchez got a little bit fainter after he threw for 328 yards against a terrible New England secondary. Yes, there can be positives even in crippling defeats especially when there is more than half a season left to make up for it. And the Jets are not alone: The three AFC favorites — Houston, New England and Baltimore — have all shown vulnerabilities there to be exposed. It’s a wide-open conference at the moment and there’s no reason to exclude the Jets from the conversation, yet.

1. Falcons (6-0) (Previous Ranking: 1) – The NFL’s lone unbeaten faces three stout challenges after the bye with the Eagles, Cowboys and Saints on tap.

2. Texans (6-1) (5) — Any doubts about Houston being the team to beat in the AFC were erased with that dominant performance against Baltimore.

4. Giants (5-2) (4) – Former teammate Shaun O’Hara assured The Post that Ahmad Bradshaw’s energy was nothing but a positive in his Giants day, despite some of the negative attention it received this week.

5. 49ers (5-2) (6) – Frank Gore with the highest yards per carry (5.8) in his career this season through seven games.

6. Packers (4-3) (8) — In the past two games, Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 780 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions.

7. Ravens (5-2) (2) — After every Baltimore loss the sentiment seems to be the same: We didn’t get the ball to Ray Rice enough. If there was only some way to avoid this.

8. Patriots (4-3) (7) – If you can hardly slow down the Jets passing attack, it’s time to reevaluate how you are going about things in the secondary.

9. Broncos (3-3) (9) — Looking forward to Sunday night shootout between Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. And I am sure Manning is too, after watching this New Orleans defense in action.

11. Steelers (3-3) (14) — Ben Roethlisberger called new offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s offense “dink-and-dunk,” which doesn’t sound like a compliment. It seems these two have had difficulties since start of the season.

12. Seahawks (4-3) (11) — Pete Carroll NFL coach is more likeable than the USC version. Loved the shots he took at Jim Harbaugh after the 49ers coach had some subtle complaints after Thursday’s win. Carroll threw the Kevin Gilbride comments at him.

13. Cardinals (4-3) (12) — Feels like a must-win against the 49ers on Monday night after 4-0 start has deteriorated to 4-3.

14. Eagles (3-3) (13) — You know Philadelphia’s season is not meant to be if they can’t win after the bye; Andy Reid is 13-0 following the Eagles off week.

15. Bengals (3-4) (15) — Ground game with free agent BenJarvus Green-Ellis not taking off as Cincinnati had hoped before the season.

17. Redskins (3-4) (16) — The top two picks in the draft — Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III — passed through New York the past two weeks. Those in attendance for both seemed much more impressed with the Redskins choice.

18. Jets (3-4) (17) — Dustin Keller being back and healthy is also a big boost for the Jets offense. Sanchez losing his safety blanket was overlooked with other more serious injuries occurring around the team.

19. Cowboys (3-3) (24) – The complete lack of surprise following Felix Jones getting hurt in win over Panthers sums up his career nicely.

20. Saints (2-4) (25) — Saw an AP headline that read “Vilma’s return fires up Saints defense” and it was true even though they offered little resistance against Tampa Bay. That’s how bad they were before.

21. Bills (3-4) (19) — Now Mario Williams had surgery on his wrist. The big-money signing has turned sour in a hurry.

22. Colts (3-3) (28) – That’s not to say Luck did not impress in what was a bad day for Indianapolis, but Griffin turned heads with his performance.